THE FEATHERSTON MEMORIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4800, 10 August 1876, Page 2

THE FEATHERSTON MEMORIAL.

A 'public meeting was held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall last night at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of considering the report of the committee appointed at a public meeting held in the Provincial Council .Hall on tho 24th July, There was but a small attendance. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and stated that after the meeting of 24th July, he had sent to Dr. Johnston the gist of the first two resolutions, requesting that he would communicate them to tho late Dr. Featherston’s family. Dr. Johnston replied that he had complied with this request, so far as concerned the members of the family now in New Zealand, and would take the first opportunity of handing them to the Misses Featherston on their return to Wellington, and that Mrs. Johnston desired to express her very great appreciation of the sympathy of her father’s friends, and that to her it would always be a source of pride and pleasure to know that the name of Isaac Earl Featherstoh would be ever held in grateful memory by the settlers of Wellington. The, committee had been appointed for a certain definite purpose, viz., to consider the ! steps which should be taken to perpetuate, .by a worthy memorial, the memory of the late Dr,

Featheratdn. The committee had prepared a report with this end in view, which the secretary (Mr; Duncan) would read. In conclusion, he-would, say [that if they wished to succeed in their object, unanimity of opinion was absolutely necessary. ‘ \ ' ' ■ Mr. Duncan then read the report of the committee, which was in effect that Colonel Gorton, the Hon. W. Gisborne, and Messrs'. W. Beetham, O. O'Neill, 0. R. Carter, W. W. Taylor,. J. Knowles, T. McKenzie, J. H. Wallace, B. Smith, C. Tringham, J. G. Holdsworth, and W. H. Moorhouse had been added to their number; that subscription lists should be opened, the funds to be devoted to procuring a-marble bust of the late Dr. Featherston on a granite pedestal, any surplus to form the nucleus of a fund to be to the erection of a Featherston benevolent institution ; that in order to allow everyone to join in the proposed memorial the subscription be limited to £1 Is. from each subscriber, and that Mr. C. R. Carter act as hon. treisurer, and Mr. R. J. Duncan as hon. secretary. Mr. Duncan stated that about £4O had been collected, and the report further stated that the committee had not felt it desirable to collect further subscriptions, or to place themselves in communication with other parts of the province, until the result of their deliberations was submitted to and approved by the public meeting. Dr. Duller then moved the adoption of the report. Dr. Johnston, in seconding the resolution, expressed his regret at being unable to attend the first meeting owing to his professional duties. He was very glad to see that the report of the committee had taken its present shape, as he had been afraid that their enthusiasm might have outrun their judgment. He would be sorry to see the public being continually appealed to, in the name of the late Dr. Featherston, for the support of an institution for which sufficient funds would not be forthcoming. Mr. Powles regretted that there was such a small attendance, considering the objects of the meeting. There was a considerable feeling outside that the subscriptions should not be used for the purpose of erecting a bust or statue. Such an expenditure would be useless, and he felt it his duty to propose as an amendment—“ That the monies subscribed for a memorial to the late Dr. Featherston be devoted to the erection in Wellington of a home for the aged and infirm.” Such an institution was a pressing want, and would not be very expensive. If it accommodated half a dozen only it would be a far better way of expending the money than in the purchase of a bust or statue to be placed in the Museum amongst the casts of ancient Greeks. If erected close to the hospital, medicine and medical attendance could be easily and economically obtained. As showing the need of such an institution he would tell them that there were numbers of people in the hospital who required such a refuge. (Dr. Johnston: About thirty.) This would greatly relieve , the hospital, and he was certain that the amount of the subscriptions would be sensibly affected for the better. If they could have consulted him whose memory they wished to perpetuate, he felt sure he would have declared against the proposition of the committee. Dr. Kemp, in seconding the amendment, re- . ferred to' his experience in Nelson of a similar institution, which was worked economically and well.

. Mr. B, Smith supported the amendment, and said that he had been added to the committee after the report had been agreed to. However, he was perfectly willing to submit to the will of the majority, and to work with them. He felt that it would have been far more acceptable to the late Dr. Featherston that the memorial should take the form proposed by the amendment, and he was sure that the money to maintain the institution could easily be obtained.

Mr. Seed quite sympathised with Mr. Powlcs, but did not think it necessary that they should appeal to the name of Dr. Feathcrston in order to support the sick and aged of Wellington. Wellington people would always see that this was done without such aa appeal. In the bust proposed they would have a resemblance oi the man they delighted to honor,;and if associated as Mr. Powles pointed out with those whom Greece delighted to honor, la hie opinion nothing could be more appropriate. Mr. Hunter, said that the report was designed to carry out the wishes of all, so far as was practicable. The cost of the bust would be but a few hundred pounds, and if they got £3009 all very well. The proposed institution could not even be thought of under less than half -that sum, and the committee in their report had thought that a mark of respect to the late Dr. Featherston was the first object to be considered. When they. had achieved this, then they could consider if they had funds it their disposal, and the desirability of the proposed institution. The committee had adopted the wise and prudent course, and he trusted they would be unanimous in adopting the report. Mr. Kkowles said he would have supported the amendment had he considered it practical. They had not only to provide the first cost, but also an endowment for this institution. In the future charitable institutions were to be supported by rates, and he should be very sorry io think that Dr. Featherston’s memory was perpetuated by payments in rates to support this institution. If they were unable to do what they wished, they must do what they were able ; and if they attempted to build and could not carry on, they would become the laugling stock of all. Mr. Woodward said that at the meeting of the committee he had expressed views similar those contained in the advertisement; but feeling that unanimity was a necessity, he had conceded points, and had received similar concessions. He felt that there were such good and cogent reasons for adopting the report that he felt bound to signify his acquiescence. Dr. Bulier said that they were entirely in the dark as to the cost of this institution. His own feeling was that it would be difficult enough to raise some four or five hundred pounds to complete the bust. He trusted that Mr. Powles would withdraw his amendment, as,ifthey were not unanimous, the effect would be dsastrous. i ■

J>. JoHNSXONthen made a few remarks as to the preat expense of maintaining a small institution of the kind proposed, compared with thatincurred in managing larger institutions. Olonel Gorton expressed his intense interest in he proceedings, and his regret at being abstat from the first meeting. If there was anything they ought to bo unanimous about it was the subject before the meeting. In his experience he had met many brave men, butnever a braver,. personally and morally, thal Dr. Featherston, and in Wanganui and Wararapa and other places subscriptions world come in readily. He thought however thal the outside districts would prefer to subserve for a bust rather than for a building for jhe use of Wellington. hr. O’Neill said that it was impossible ot earnout the amendment, on the grounds of expnse. A perpetual recurrence to the public for Subscriptions for the maintenance of the insttution would be unpopular, and he quite oonhrreddn the report of the committee. hr. Duncan wished to see such an institutiorias that proposed erected in Wellington, butifter hearing the arguments and expression of feeling at the meeting, he would supponthe adoption of the report. It. Wallace said that by accepting the amhdment they would give the memorial a loci character, which was undesirable. The moi appropriate course was to adopt the reoonneudation of the committee. lr. Towles, in reply, regretted that his amndment had not received much support, bujas his views were those of many who were nolpresent, he felt it would be cowardly to wihdraw his amendment. lr. Carter again urged Mr. ‘ Towles to w&draw, and Mr. Smith spoke in support of thj amendment.

ilr. Bkansfield said that he had great reject for the members of the Benevolent IStitution, but was sorry that they had taken til) opportunity of expressing their views. H was Confident that they would not raise the fuds which would be required if the amendment was carried, and he should accordingly siiport the motion, fir, Allah supported the motion.

On being put, the amendment was lost by a large majority, five only voting for it. Mr. Smith then moved an amendment that all wordsin the report as to the appropriation of the surplus should be omitted. Mr. Wallace seconded the amendment, and Dr. Bdlleb intimated his intention of supporting it. Mr. Hunter, M.H.R., said that if the report were not adopted it would have a most mischievous effect, and urged the meeting to reject the amendment. ■ The amendment was then put, and lost by a large majority, only six voting for it. The original motion was then put and carried, with only two dissentients. It was then moved by Mr. Hunter, M.H.R., and seconded by Mr. Duncan, —That the committee be re-appointed, with instructions to communicate with friends who may sympathise with the movement in various other parts of the province. This motion was carried unanimously, and the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close.